In a pivotal development with far-reaching implications, researchers have successfully grown organoids or miniature organ-like cell clusters from fetal fluids in the uterus. This breakthrough promises innovations in prenatal diagnosis and treatment strategies, especially for fetuses diagnosed with severe congenital conditions.
Organoids have traditionally been created from cells carefully manipulated and cultured in a dish as three-dimensional, lentil-sized imitations of the organ from which the cells originated. The process generates key information about the state of these tissues, including identifying aberrations in growth. This ground-breaking research, headed by Paolo De Coppi at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has achieved an initial milestone by successfully coaxing fetal cells from amniotic fluid into organoids formed of lung, kidney, or small intestine tissue. Indeed, these organoids, particularly those representing lungs, could present novel ways of treating potentially fatal conditions like congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
Despite the method not being used to treat children yet, the team is confident in the feasibility of such developments in the future. The researchers envision a broader application in treating other congenital conditions in a revolutionary strategy they term as “personalized prenatal medicine”.
The primary focus of using organoids obtained from fetal stem cells has been to ethically investigate the later stages of pregnancy. So far, these stem cells have primarily been accessed from aborted pregnancies, creating logistical hurdles and raising ethical concerns. Moreover, this method curtailed studies beyond approximately 22 weeks of conception.
Now, a new study published in Nature Medicine affirms that these crucial cells can be harvested non-invasively from the amniotic fluid, critically eliminating the risk of direct contact with the fetus. Researchers noted that these manipulated cells began to configure into tissue-specific organoids within two weeks, particularly mimicking tissue from the small intestine, kidney, and lungs.
The organoids’ development into simulated lung, kidney, and intestinal tissues provides an exciting and novel opportunity for scientists. Their research will enable a better understanding of how these organs grow and function in fetuses and can lead to recognizing potential conditions that can develop post-birth.
The research could potentially illuminate the early origins of adult diseases by exposing the ramifications of fetal cell dysfunction in major organs. The amniotic fluid-derived cells, having an inherent organ identity, indicate their potential for future applications without requiring extensive reprogramming or manipulation.
The rigorous use of sequencing technologies confirmed the importance of the organoid lines for the functions of the original organs, according to Shota Nakanoh, a postdoctoral researcher at the Babraham Institute, who was not involved in the study. She further commented, “The pipeline of amniotic fluid organoid formation described here would bring a great advantage in the field.”
Although the research shows significant promise, the authors caution that more steps need to be taken before translating these findings into clinical applications. Further research and necessary comparisons to patient data are needed for insights into the potential of these organoids, in modelling diseases and testing drugs.
However, the prospects are encouraging for an advanced understanding of human embryonic development, congenital diseases, patient-specific prenatal diagnoses, and potential treatments.
Information Box:
Organoids: Three-dimensional, miniature organ-like cell clusters, cultured from different cell types.
Amniotic Fluid: The protective liquid contained within the amniotic sac of a pregnant woman. It houses fetal cells which can be cultured into organoids.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): A rare birth defect where a baby’s diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest and abdomen) does not develop properly.
References:
Reference 1: Wilson, Clare. “Organoids made from uterus fluid may help treat fetuses before birth.” New Scientist, 4 March 2024.
Reference 2: Dewan, Pandora. “Cells Shed by Fetuses Have Been Grown Into Mini-Organs.” Newsweek.
Reference 3: Tozer, Lilly. “Organoids grown from amniotic fluid could shed light on rare diseases.” Nature Journal, Nature.com.